TalentRise Tapped by the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology for CEO Search
April 1, 2026 – The Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT) has retained TalentRise to lead in its search for a new CEO. The search follows the planned retirement of the organization’s current CEO, who has provided dedicated leadership to BCAT and its community mission for nearly 10 years. The search process is expected to take approximately four to six months. “During my tenure at BCAT, we built programs that truly meet people where they are, expanding access, strengthening community partnerships, and witnessing our students succeed in ways that transform their lives and families,” said Ms. Burkhardt. “I hope the next CEO builds on this foundation by continuing to listen deeply to our community, investing in innovation, and taking thoughtful risks to scale our impact so even more adults and young people can access the opportunities they deserve.”
“Gina Burkhardt has done an incredible job leading BCAT, growing the organization into one that is truly changing lives for adults entering or re-entering the workforce, and for Buffalo Public School students gaining the confidence and skills to pursue careers they might otherwise have only have dreamed about,” said Michael Cropp, board chair and president and CEO of Independent Health Association. “As Gina prepares to retire from a long and successful career in education and human services, the board is excited to work with TalentRise to find a leader who will build on the strong foundation she established.”
“We’re committed to a thorough, comprehensive process to find the right leader for BCAT’s next chapter,” Mr. Cropp said. “The incoming CEO will inherit an organization with strong financial health, excellent programs, talented staff, and a capital campaign nearing successful completion. They’ll have the opportunity to build on a tremendous foundation. We’re now positioned to attract exceptional leadership that will take BCAT to new heights while honoring the mission and values that make this organization special.”
The new CEO will serve as BCAT’s chief executive and strategic leader, reporting to the board of directors. The role encompasses overall organizational leadership, financial stewardship, staff development, board relations, and external advocacy. BCAT is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
The Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology is a mission-driven non-profit dedicated to creating stable, hopeful futures for youth and adults in the Buffalo community. It provides free, high-quality arts and technology programming for high school students through its Youth Arts & Technology Program (YAP). Similarly, workforce development training for adults is delivered through its year-round Adult Workforce Program (AWP), which allows participants to obtain nationally recognized certifications and family-sustaining careers in allied health and IT fields such as pharmacy technician, medical administrative assistant, phlebotomy, IT tech support, networking and security.
Founded in 2008 in Chicago, TalentRise provides executive search, interim executive placement, and talent consulting. The firm’s talent optimization model uses data-driven insights to align people and organizational strategies for optimum performance. TalentRise supports companies in nearly every vertical — retail, manufacturing, technology, financial services, healthcare, life sciences, E-commerce, and more — with custom and comprehensive talent acquisition solutions.
Related: TalentRise Assists SWBR with Chief People Officer Search
As president, Peter Petrella oversees company strategy, drives growth initiatives, and enhances TalentRise’s service offerings to meet the needs of their diverse client base. He plays a critical role in the TalentRise growth plan by cultivating C-level, investor, and board of director relationships with companies looking to acquire senior leadership talent for their business. Mr. Petrella brings over 23 years of experience in a variety of business sectors including sports, healthcare, startups, scaleups, and technology. His areas of expertise include management, sales, marketing, IT, software, and strategy.
Grassroots Gardens of WNY Search
TalentRise was also recently retained by Grassroots Gardens of WNY (GGWNY) to lead in its search for a new executive director. GGWNY is seeking an executive director to provide strategic leadership and overall management for the organization. The next leader of Grassroots Gardens must be capable of responding to the multi-faceted needs of a land trust while also serving as a steward for those gardens already within the network.
TalentRise Assists ECMC Foundation with Executive Director Search
Following a national professional search process, TalentRise has assisted in the recruitment of Julie R. Berrigan as executive director of ECMC Foundation in Buffalo, NY. The foundation received strong interest from a broad range of highly experienced candidates. Ms. Berrigan emerged from that process as the consensus individual to serve as the foundation’s new executive director. Serving most recently as director of the NCCC Foundation, Ms. Berrigan is an accomplished development professional with over 15 years of experience in healthcare, education, and non-profit sectors across Western New York.
The executive director will develop programs that sustain GGWNY’s mission and advance its strategic goals, and will oversee fundraising and development, fiscal management, staff leadership, and management of government and municipal relations. It is important that the next director supports and champions the organizational mission and its values.
Grassroots Gardens of WNY is a dedicated group of community gardeners and activists whose mission is to share knowledge, power, and resources to grow healthy food, heal systemic harm, and strengthen neighborhood connections through community gardens. GGWNY provides strategic leadership and overall management for a community garden network and urban land trust serving more than 100 community and school gardens across Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
Related: TalentRise Recruits Executive Director for the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
